Labeling article, method of use and assembly

ABSTRACT

A labeling article and a method of use and assembly of the labeling article, where the labeling article comprises a label, an elastic securing band, and a release liner, and where the elastic securing band is configured to be stretched to define a loop between the elastic securing band and the release liner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/513,314, filed Jun. 1, 2012; which is a nationalphase of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2010/058642, filedon Dec. 2, 2010; which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/265,945, filed on Dec. 2, 2009.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is directed to labeling articles. In particular,the present disclosure is directed to labeling articles having elasticbands, and methods of manufacturing such labeling articles.

It is known to use an elastic material to affix a label or tag to anitem such as a product, its packaging or the like. The label or tag mayhave an elastic band affixed thereto for securing the label or tag tosuch an item. The band may be formed at least in part by elasticmaterial that, when stretched, allows the band to be sufficiently largeto encompass the item to which it is being attached, without undulydistorting the label or tag, so that it is still readable, eithervisually by a user or by machine-readable means (e.g., via a bar-codeprinted on the label or tag). In addition, the label and its elasticfastening component must be strong enough to stand the rigors oftransport and handling, and retain itself in position on the articlewithout damage thereto.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a labeling articlethat includes a label having a first major surface, a second majorsurface that opposes the first major surface, a first edge portion, anda second edge portion offset from the first edge portion along a firstaxis. The labeling article also includes an elastic securing band havinga first end bonded to the first major surface at a first bond zonelocated adjacent to the first edge portion, a second end bonded to thefirst major surface at a second bond zone located adjacent to the secondedge portion, and a span extending along the first axis between thefirst end and the second end. The labeling article further includes arelease liner disposed on the first major surface along the axis betweenthe first bond zone and the second bond zone, where release liner has asurface area that is less than a surface area of the first majorsurface. The span of the elastic securing band is releasable from therelease liner such that the span is configured to be stretched to definea loop between the span and the release liner.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method formanufacturing a plurality of labeling articles. The method includesmoving a web of a label material in a first direction, and formingskip-coated segments of a release liner material on the moving web alongan axis, the formed skip-coated segments being separated by gaps. Themethod also includes forming a continuous band of an elastic materialover the formed skip-coated segments and the gaps, and bonding the bandof elastic material to the moving web at the gaps to form bond zones.The method further includes forming lines of separation in a directionthat is orthogonal to the first direction such that the formed lines ofseparation intersect the bond zones.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method formanufacturing a plurality of labeling articles, where the methodincludes moving a web of a label material in a first direction, andforming multiple stripes of skip-coated segments of a release linermaterial on the moving web, each of the skip-coated segments beingseparated by gaps. The method also includes forming a continuous band ofan elastic material over each formed stripe of the skip-coated segmentsand the gaps, and bonding the bands of elastic material to the movingweb at the gaps to form bond zones for each formed stripe. The methodfurther includes forming lines of separation in a direction that isorthogonal to the first direction such that the formed lines ofseparation intersect the bond zones.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, is not intended todescribe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of theclaimed subject matter, and is not intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other noveladvantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as thisdescription proceeds. The figures and the description that follow moreparticularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a labeling article of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is front perspective view of the labeling article.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the labeling article, with itselastomer bands such stretched slightly away from its label.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view as taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the labeling article front side, with thelabeling article being affixed to an item (such as the back of a chair).

FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic illustrations of a web-based process formanufacturing multiple labeling articles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side view of one form of an application of molten elastomerto a web of label material using an extruder head and a lamination roll.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of an alternative labeling article ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a web-based process formanufacturing multiple alternative labeling articles of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a web-based process formanufacturing multiple elastic labeling bands.

FIG. 12 is a rear view of a second alternative labeling article of thepresent disclosure, where the second alternative labeling articleincludes an elastomer band having a shorter span length.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of a third alternative labeling article of thepresent disclosure, where the third alternative labeling articleincludes an elastomer band configured to provide multiple pockets.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of a fourth alternative labeling article of thepresent disclosure, where the fourth alternative labeling articleincludes an elastomer band having a serpentine configuration.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of a fifth alternative labeling article of thepresent disclosure, where the fifth alternative labeling articleincludes an elastomer band that extends outward past a bond zone toprovide an elastomer loop.

Although the above-identified figures set forth various features of thedisclosed subject matter, other combinations of features are alsocontemplated, as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosurepresents the disclosed subject matter by way of representation and notlimitation. It should be understood that numerous other modificationsand feature combinations can be devised by those skilled in the artwhich fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of thisdisclosure. It should be understood that the figures have not been drawnto scale as it has been necessary to enlarge certain portions forclarity of illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a labeling article that isconfigured to be attached or bound to one or more items for thepresentation of information. As discussed below, the labeling articleincludes a label or tag portion and one or more flexible securing bandsbonded to a back side of the label, where the flexible securing bandsmay be stretched and secured around an item to retain the label to theitem. The label has a surface area that is greater than the surfaceareas of the one or more flexible securing bands. This allows a frontsurface of the label to be used to present information, such asinformation relating to the item to which the labeling article isretained.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate article 10, which is an example of a suitablelabeling article of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, article10 includes label or tag portion 12 connected to a pair of flexiblesecuring bands (referred to as bands 14A and 14B). As discussed below,bands 14A and 14B may each be manufactured as a sheet or film of one ormore elastomer materials. Label 12 may be sheet-like in formation, witha front side 12A (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 4, and 5) and an opposite backside 12B (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 3). In the shown example, label 12 hasa parallelogram geometry. In this instance, label 12 has parallel endedges 16 and 18, and parallel side edges 20 and 22.

Bands 14A and 14B each extend from one side edge to the other of label12 (i.e., from side edge 20 to side edge 22). Band 14A is bonded to backside 12B of label 12 adjacent to side edges 20 and 22 at bond zones 24Aand 26A. In particular, bond zone 24A is located adjacent to side edge20 and bond zone 26A is located adjacent to side edge 22. A span of bandmaterial of band 14A (referred to as span 28A) extends between bondzones 24A and 26A.

Correspondingly, band 14B is bonded to back side 12B of label 12adjacent to side edges 20 and 22 at bond zones 24B and 26B, where bondzone 24B is located adjacent to side edge 20 and bond zone 26B islocated adjacent to side edge 22. A span of band material of band 14B(referred to as span 28B) extends between bond zones 24B and 26B. Asdiscussed below, spans 28A and 28B are each configured to stretch awayfrom label 12 and its respective bond zones for positioning around anitem.

Bands 14A and 14B are depicted as being located at the shown locationsalong back side 12B. However, in alternative embodiments, one or both ofbands 14A and 14B may be located at different locations along back side12B. For example, band 14A may be located at a top end of label 12,adjacent to end edge 16, and band 14B may be located at a bottom end oflabel 12, adjacent to end edge 18. This arrangement positions bands 14Aand 14B at the ends of label 12.

Bands 14A and 14B may each be derived from one or more elastomermaterials that are desirably biased toward a non-extended position.Examples of suitable materials for bands 14A and 14B include thoserecited for the flexible sheets or bands in Maltas et al., U.S. Pat. No.7,763,135; and for the flexible elastic portions in Ludlow et al., U.S.Pat. No. 7,281,345; and Ludlow et al., International ApplicationPublication No. WO07/084119 (e.g., elastomer materials). In oneembodiment, bands 14A and 14B are each formed at least in part frombiodegradable, degradable, or recyclable materials.

In some embodiments, suitable elastomers for bands 14A and 14B includethermoplastic elastomers that are at least heat softenable and even heatmeltable to a flowable or moldable state. Examples of suitablethermoplastic elastomers include styrenic block co-polymers (e.g.,styrene-butadiene styrene and styrene-ethylene-butylene styrene).Another family of useful thermoplastic elastomers is the olefinicelastomers, including those that are ethylene as well as those that arepolypropylene based. Yet another family of thermoplastic elastomers areknown as polyvinyl chloride-based elastomers. Still other families ofthermoplastic elastomers can be based on urethanes, nylon, silicon, andthe like.

FIG. 2 shows article 10 from its front side, such that bands 14A and 14Bare not visible through label 12 (when label 12 is formed from an opaquematerial), and are shown with hidden lines. Label 12 may be derived fromone or more paper, polymeric, metallic, organic, and/or fabricmaterials. Suitable materials for label 12 include those recited for thetag portions in Maltas et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,763,135; Ludlow et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,281,345; and Ludlow et al., International ApplicationPublication No. WO07/084119. For example, label 12 may be derived fromone or more printable card materials, such as materials commerciallyavailable under the trade designation “TESLIN” from PPG Industries,Pittsburgh, Pa. Alternatively, label 12 may be derived from one or morematerials such as polypropylene-based materials, styrene-basedmaterials, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, label 12 isformed at least in part from biodegradable, degradable, or recyclablematerials. Label 12 may also be opaque (as noted above), translucent, ortransparent.

As further shown in FIG. 2, indicia is disposed on the front side 12A oflabel 12, in the form of human or machine readable indicia 30, 32, 34,and/or 36. Such indicia may be printed on front side 12A of label 12,such as product source identifying information indicia 30,printing/cutting/processing registration mark 32, or bar code or otheroptical machine readable information such as indicia 34. In addition,other indicia specific to label 12 may be applied thereto such asindicia 36, which may be embedded in label 32, affixed thereto or formedthereon (e.g., Braille characters). Such information may take the formof an RFID inlay, tag, label or card, or a “smart label”, such as onethat monitors lapsed time, or bioactive paper or other material usefulfor destroying, deactivating and/or detecting undesirable pathogens.

In addition, label 12 may bear indicia printed with thermochromic ink,which is activated to change color or opacity by changes in temperature(or ink that changes upon exposure to radiation). Further, article 10may bear (either on label 12 or within label 12 or bands 14A and 14B, ascented substance, which may, for example, serve either as an insect oranimal repellent or attractant). To the extent any such indicia issurface-borne, article 10 may also bear indicia on front side 12A and/orback side 12B of label 12, and/or such indicia may also be borne by orprinted on or formed from bands 14A and 14B.

FIG. 3 shows article 10 from its back side, with the bands 14A and 14Bslightly stretched outwardly away from label 12 to illustrate theformation of an item-receptive loop defined therebetween (such as loop38A between band 14A and label 12, and loop 38B between band 14B andlabel 12). As further shown, article 10 includes release liners 40A and40B, which are located at least partially below bands 14A and 14B,respectively. Release liners 40A and 40B are films or coatings of one ormore release agents (e.g., silicon-based release materials) configuredto allow bands 14A and 14B to be removed from label 12 without undueforce, thereby providing loops 38A and 388.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, release liners 40A and 40B do notextend across an entirety of back side 12B of label 12. For example, asshown in FIG. 3, release liners 40A and 40B have surface areas thatcorrespond to the surface areas of spans 28A and 28B of bands 14A and14B. In an alternative embodiment, release liners 40A and 40B may havesurface areas that are greater than the surface areas of spans 28A and28B of bands 14A and 14B, but are less than the entire surface area ofback side 12B.

In one embodiment, bands 14A and 14B have combined surface areas thatare less than about 50% of a surface area of label 12. In anotherembodiment, bands 14A and 14B have combined surface areas that are lessthan about 25% of the surface area of label 12. Furthermore, in oneembodiment, release liners 40A and 40B have combined surface areas thatare less than about 50% of the surface area of label 12. In anotherembodiment, release liners 40A and 40B have combined surface areas thatare less than about 25% of the surface area of label 12. As used herein,the surface areas are taken in a plane that is parallel to back side12B, and with respect to bands 14A and 14B, the surface areas are takenwhile bands 14A and 14B are in relaxed, non-stretched states (such asillustrated in FIG. 1). Furthermore, the terms “about” and“substantially”, are used herein with respect to measurable values andranges due to expected variations known to those skilled in the art(e.g., limitations and variabilities in measurements).

FIG. 4 illustrates loop 38A in section, relative to a lateral sectiontaken through band 14A of article 10, along Section 4-4 in FIG. 3. Span28A may be stretched to increase the dimensions of loop 38A, therebyallowing article 10 to be mounted around an item. For example, as shownin FIG. 5, spans 28A and 28B of bands 14A and 14B are stretched to morethan four times each span's unstretched size about the back of chair 41.For the article 10 illustrated, label 12 is desirably formed of amaterial having sufficient integrity to prevent its deformation andstretching when bands 14A and 14B affixed thereto are so stretched, suchas seen in FIG. 5.

To apply article 10 to an item such as the chair 41, spans 28A and 28Bof bands 14A and 14B are pulled away from label 12, and stretched asnecessary to extend around that portion of the item (e.g., chair 41) towhich article 10 is being affixed. Bands 14A and 14B may then bereleased so that they contract back to the extent possible allowed bythe item now disposed between the spans 28A and 28B, respectively, andlabel 12.

As can be appreciated by a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 5, when article 10is secured to such an item, the distance from one end of each of bands14A and 14B to its other end (as measured along the band itself) islonger when it is stretched than when article 10 is sitting loosely andunsecured. In other words, bands 14A and 14B serve as flexible securingmechanisms that extend (i.e., stretch) to accommodate the size or shapeof an item to which article 10 is being affixed, and then, afterrelease, remain extended to some extent while engaged about that item.

Web-based processing may be an economical process for the manufacture oflabeling articles 10, although batch processing and conveyor processingwith indexing from station to station for specific operations can beuseful (especially for uniquely designed or shaped labeling articles orfor the elastic sheets on such labeling articles). In web-basedprocessing, a web of label material (which may be formed from, forexample, such materials as polypropylene or polystyrene) may have asurface treatment such as the well known corona surface treatment andthen the web is repetitively printed with informational matter asintended for each labeling article to later be cut from the web.

The printed label material web is then fed simultaneously with moltenelastomer (e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer such as styrenic blockcopolymer) through the nip of chill rollers. The molten elastomer isapplied to extend laterally as a layer over the web, as it is advanced,either across the full face of the web or one or more lateral segmentsthereof. The temperatures of the chill rollers (from about −7° C. (about20° F.) to about 4° C. (about 40° F.)) are adjusted to cool the moltenelastomer to a “frozen” state while simultaneously applying pressure bythe rollers (up to about 3,400 kilopascals (about 500 psi)) to affectthe formation of a layer of elastomer at the thickness desired (e.g.,from about 25 micrometers (about 0.001 inches) to about 1,100micrometers (about 0.045 inches)) and also to affect the formation ofbond zones between the elastomer and the label material (such as thebond zones 24A and 26A for band 14A and bond zones 24B and 26B for band14B, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4).

For article 10, the bond strength between label 12 and any securing band14 attached thereto (e.g., band 14A or 14B) is placed in tension in use(such as, for example, as seen in FIG. 5). Thus, label 12 and bands 14Aand 14B are selected for compatible bonding, or a suitable adhesive isused to bond them together, as discussed above.

To prevent the entire layer of elastomer from bonding to the labelmaterial web, a release agent liner is disposed upon selected portionsof the label material web prior to the deposition of the moltenelastomer thereon. Such a release agent liner may be added during thelabel material/elastomer lamination step, or by a silicone or othernon-stick surface coating applied previously, during or after a printingstep of indicia on the label material web, etc. The release agent linermay also take the form of a separate layer of material disposed betweenthe label material web and the molten elastomer. This separate layer maybe a tape or other sheet material that is then later removed frombetween the two labeling article materials, or remains bonded to one ofthe materials but not the other.

When formed in a web-based processing configuration, after the elastomerhas been bond to the label material web, this laminate ofelastomer/label material is then further processed to define individuallabeling articles. A lateral cut may be made to separate each labelingarticle from the laminating web, or each labeling article may be definedby lateral perforations that are formed in the laminated web or werepreformed in the labeling material web prior to lamination. Thus, thelabeling articles are then later separated from the web, at a timedesired, by tearing the perforations. A plurality of labeling articlesmay thus be provided in sheet form or in roll form for dispensing by anend user at a time and place as desired.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate schematically a process for manufacturingmultiple labeling articles 10. A web of label material 42 is advancedlongitudinally (in direction of arrow 43) past elastomer extruder head(or heads) 44 that deposits molten elastomer 46 onto the web of labelmaterial 42.

Prior to web 42 passing the extruding station associated with extruderhead 44 (i.e., upstream therefrom), one or more stripes of discrete,spaced apart segments of a release liner material have been disposed onthe web of label material 42. In the process illustrated in FIG. 6, twosuch stripes are illustrated. One stripe is defined by a plurality ofspaced apart segments 48A and a second strip is illustrated by aplurality of spaced apart segments 48B.

While the segments of each stripe may take any form (e.g., rectangularas illustrated), the release liner material is not disposed continuouslyin this stripe (in the machine direction such as illustrated by arrow43), but rather intermittently (i.e., “skip-coated”). Accordingly, arelease liner material gap 50A is provided between adjacent segments 48Aand a release liner material gap 50B is provided between adjacentsegments 48B. The gaps 50A and 50B are free of release liner material.As will be discussed below, gaps 50A and 50B are paired laterally acrossthe face of the web 42 (on what will ultimately be the back side 12B oflabel 12), and are aligned relative to a web severing line (illustratedby dashed lines 52 in FIG. 6), which may bisect or otherwise divide eachgap between adjacent segments.

As molten elastomer 46 is deposited onto web 42 by the extruder head 44,each segments 48A and 48B of release liner material prevents theelastomer 46 from bonding to the label material web 42. In theillustration of FIG. 6, two laterally spaced apart strips of moltenelastomer 46 are deposited by extruder head 44, shown as strip 46A andstrip 46B. Elastomer strip 46A is disposed along and over the stripedefined by segments 48A and gaps 50A, while elastomer strip 46B isdisposed over and along the stripe defined by segments 48B and gaps 50B.

Once the elastomer has cured (i.e., solidified), the elastomer (in layerform) and web 42 are bonded together as a web assembly 53, with thebonding taking place only at gaps 50A and 50B under each strip 46A and46B of elastomer, respectively. Thus, each portion of each strip ofelastomer that extends over a band of release material is notsignificantly bonded to web 42, thereby allowing spans 28A and 28B ofbands 14A and 14B of each article 10 to be separated from release liners40A and 40B without undue separation forces. These portions areillustrated, for example, by unbonded elastomer strip portions 54A and54B in FIG. 6. These unbonded elastomer strip portions 54A and 54Bcorrespond generally to the spans 28 and 28B, respectively, illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 3.

Individual labeling articles 10 are then later separated from the webassembly 53 along the web severing lines 52, as illustrated in FIG. 7.Although severing lines 52 are indicated as linear and laterallyextending across the web assembly, it is contemplated that eachseparation line need not be linear or laterally extending. For instance,the severing lines 52 may be defined as curved lines or serpentine linesbetween adjacent labeling articles 10. In addition, labeling articles ofother shapes (e.g., heart-shaped, circular, etc.) could be formed bydie-cutting those portions of the web assembly, as discussed below.

FIG. 8 illustrates one form of an application of elastomer 46 to thelabel material web 42, such as by using extruder head 44 and laminationroll 60. Lamination roll 60 not only forms a layer of the elastomer 46on top of the label material web 42, but also bonds the two materialstogether by nip pressure between lamination roll 60 and a backup roll 62supporting label material web 42.

As can be appreciated, the size of each bond zone of a labeling article(e.g., bond zones 24A and 26A) is dependent in part on the size of thegap (e.g., gap 50A) disposed between adjacent segments of release linermaterial (e.g., segments 48A) and the location of the severing line(e.g., severing line 52) that extends through that gap. The spacebetween adjacent gaps (i.e., the machine direction length of a segmentof release liner material between adjacent gaps) in turn defines thespan between the bond zones of a particular labeling article.

Labeling articles of a variety of lengths (as defined by severing lines52 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7) can be formed, simply by controllingthe length of the segments of release liner material (e.g., segments48A) disposed on the web of label material (e.g., web 42), therebyestablishing the spacings from one gap to the next along the web oflabel material. As further illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, labelingarticles of generally the same size (as defined by the distance betweenadjacent severing lines 52) may be formed. This is useful when thelabeling articles bear indicia such that each labeling article bears atleast in part the same indicia or printed information, for print and cutregistration purposes, and for registration of the elastomer span(s)formed on each labeling article. Print registration is desirably alignedduring processing with the disposition of the bands of release layermaterial and gaps therebetween, as well as with severing lines 52 forweb assembly 53, so that, as desired, each labeling article bears itsindicia in the same location.

In some embodiments, the lengths of adjacent labeling articles 10 may bevaried (i.e., the length as measured by the distance between adjacentsevering lines 52) by making the segments of release liner material onadjacent labeling articles 10 of different lengths, with the severinglines aligned with the gaps between such segments. In other words,labeling articles of different lengths may be sequentially made from thesame web in a web-based processing environment.

In one example, where the desired label article 10 is formed to be 22centimeters by 28 centimeters (8.5 inches by 11 inches) in sheet form(with the 22 centimeter (8.5 inch) dimension being the machine directiondimension), each segment 48A and 48B of release liner material laid downis about 19 centimeters (about 7.5 inches) long and each gap 50A and 50Bis about 2.5 centimeters (about 1.0 inch) long. When severing lines 52are centered on each gap 50A and 50B, the resulting bond zone on thelabeling article 10 is about 1.3 centimeters (about 0.5 inches) long,once the labeling article 10 has been cut apart from the web assembly53. The resultant span in this instance is about 19 centimeters (about7.5 inches) long (the same distance as the release liner segments 48Aand 48B).

In this example, the width (lateral dimension) of each segment 48A and48B of release liner material is about 3.2 centimeters (about 1.25inches), and the width of each elastomer layer 46A and 46B is about 2.5centimeters (about 1.0 inch). The label 12 may be formed of a polymersheet with a nominal thickness of about 0.254 millimeters (about 0.010inches) (within a thickness range of about 76.2 micrometers (about 0.003inches) to about 1,000 micrometers (about 0.040 inches)), and eachelastomer layer 46A and 46B as cured on the label 12 may have athickness of about 230 micrometers (about 0.009 inches).

In formation, the molten elastomer 46 is dispensed over the strip ofspaced apart segments 48A and 48B of release liner material so thatelastomer 46 does not contact (and bond to) the web of label material 42alongside (i.e., laterally to) the release liner material. In otherwords, the molten elastomer 46 is dispensed no wider than the releaseliner segments 48A and 48B (in the lateral dimension) so that it onlycontacts the label material web 42 at gaps 50A and 50B between adjacentsegments 48A and 48B of release liner material. As shown, segments 48Aand 48B, and elastomer layers 46A and 46B do not extend across anentirety of web 42 (corresponding to label 12). This results in bands14A and 14B, and release liners 40A and 40B of each article 10 havingsurface areas that are less than the surface area of back side 12B oflabel 12. As discussed above, this increases the ease of use of bands14A and 14B when inserting article 10 around an item.

Labeling article 10 shown in FIGS. 1-8 has two parallel bands 14A and14B, and a rectangular label 12. As noted above, one elastomer band perlabeling article may suffice, or a labeling article may have multiplebands, such as two bands, three bands, or more. For instance, a labelingarticle 110 is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, which has one securingband 114, and where corresponding references numbers are increased by“100” from those used for article 10 (shown in FIG. 1-8). As shown inFIG. 9, article 110 has a non-rectilinear shape (in this instance, aheart shape).

FIG. 10 illustrates a web assembly 153 after lamination of a singlestrip 146 of elastomer onto a web of label material 142. Afterlamination and elastomer curing, individual labeling articles 110 aredie-cut from the web assembly 153 (as illustrated by dashed separationlines 152 in the left portion of FIG. 10) which creates waste portionsX, Y and Z from the web of label material 142. In this particularexample, an edge waste strip may be provided along each lateral edge ofthe label material, so that at least waste portions X on one side arecontinuously bonded together and at least waste portions Y and Z on theother side are continuously bonded together. In one arrangement,side-to-side edges of adjacent labeling articles 110 are spaced apart,so that with such waste portions, all of the waste is continuouslybonded together.

As discussed above, prior to lamination of the elastomer strip 146 ontothe web of label material 142, a release liner material is skip coatedor otherwise disposed in a stripe of spaced apart segments 148, as shownin the right portion of FIG. 10. A release liner material gap 150 isprovided between adjacent segments 148. Each gap 150 is thus free ofrelease liner material so that, when the elastomer strip 146 islaminated onto the web of label material 142, the elastomer and labelmaterial only bond together in the areas defined by gaps 150. Thus, eachportion of the strip of elastomer 146 that extends over a band ofrelease material is not bonded to the web of label material 142 (asillustrated by unbonded elastomer strip portion 154 in FIG. 10). Asdiscussed above, elastomer strip portions 154 are desirably bonded tosegments 148 to prevent elastomer strip portions 154 from prematurelydelaminating from segments 148 during shipping and storage, while alsoallowing bands 114 (corresponding to elastomer strip portion 154) to beseparated from release liners 140 (corresponding to segments 148)without undue removal forces.

After individual labeling articles 110 are separated from the webassembly 153, each band 114 is affixed to its respective label 112 atbond zones 124 and 126. The unbonded portion of band 114 (e.g., span128) can thus move and stretch away from label 112, thereby forming afastening loop 138, as generally illustrated above in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates the formation of alternative labeling articles,where the entire web of label material is coated with a layer ofelastomer, from lateral side to lateral side thereof. In other words,the elastomer strip is as wide as the web width. This is in comparisonto bands 14A, 14B, and 114, and release liners 40A, 40B, and 140, eachwhich has a surface area that is less than the surface area of labels 12and 112, respectively.

Adjacent segments of release liner material on the web are also as wideas the web width, as are the gaps therebetween. In FIG. 11, a web oflabel material 242 is shown, on the right side of FIG. 11, with segments248 of release liner material and gaps 250 therebetween. The left sideof FIG. 11 illustrates the web 242 post-lamination of a strip ofelastomer material 246 onto the web 242, which is also as wide as theweb 242. Lateral separation lines 252 are also shown, extending throughthe lamination or bond areas at gaps 250.

In this example, however, additional machine direction separation lines252 a, 252 b and 252 c are shown. The separation lines 252, 252 a, 252 band 252 c may be, as discussed above, perforations or die-cutseparations. In any event, eventually, multiple labeling articles may beformed by both lateral and longitudinal separation from the web 242. InFIG. 11, such labeling articles are illustrated as labeling article 210a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d. The labeling articles 210 a-210 d of FIG. 11may be similar in form and function to the elastic labeling bandsdescribed and shown in Maltas et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,763,135. Suchsmaller labeling articles (i.e., labeling articles smaller than thewidth of the web assembly) are also possible in alternativeconfigurations, where the elastomer extends only in a strip narrowerthan the width of the label, such as when the labeling article 10 ofFIG. 3 is severed apart along a severing line 252 x to form two separatelabeling articles therefrom.

FIGS. 12-15 show other exemplary labeling article configurations formedgenerally such as described above. FIG. 12 illustrates labeling article310 having label 312 and an elastomer band 314 bonded thereto. Theportion of band 314 that is not bonded to the label 312 is shorter inlateral dimension than, for example, bands 14A and 14B illustrated inFIGS. 1-8 (i.e., has a shorter span that can be stretched away from itsanchoring bond zones). The space defined by a loop that is formedbetween the unbonded portion of the sheet 314 and the label 312 is largeenough to receive and retain a post or stick inserted therethough,thereby making labeling article 310 suitable for use as a placard orsign. Links of stiffening material 335 may be affixed to the label 312to provide label 12 additional stiffness and prevent bowing thereof inuse. Band 314 is bonded to the label 312 by bond areas 324 and 326,which as shown, may be relatively large (again as compared to bond areas24A, 24B, 26A, and 26B, illustrated in FIGS. 1-8). The bond areas neednot be as large as illustrated in FIG. 12, but are desirably largeenough to sufficiently bond the band 314 to the label 312 for itsintended use.

FIG. 13 illustrates a labeling article 410 having a label 412 with alayer of elastomer 446 bonded on one side thereof. In this arrangement,a single bond zone 427 may be provided, which is continuous from side toside of the labeling article 410. One or more segments of the elastomerlayer 446 may not be bonded to the label 412 along one edge of theelastomer 446, thereby forming one or more elastomer pockets 429 betweenthe layer of elastomer 446 and the label 412. The shape of each pocket429 is defined by the shape of the area of a band of release linermaterial disposed between the elastomer 446 and label 412 during orprior to lamination thereof. The shape of each pocket 429 may be definedfor the purpose of holding a specific article or series of articles tothe label 412. If multiple pockets 429 are provided, their shapes may bethe same or may differ to allow the holding of differently shaped items.

FIG. 14 illustrates a labeling article 510 having a label 512 bonded toan elastomer band 514 such as at bond zones 524 and 526. In thisarrangement, after the strip of elastomer material has been deposited onlabel 512 and cured, the unbonded portion of the band 514 may bekiss-cut by a die into a serpentine configuration (as shown in FIG. 14)or other desired configuration that joins the bond zones 524 and 526(e.g., a Z-shaped or a switch-back configuration). By narrowing theeffective width of the unbonded span of the band 514 (as shown), it maybe possible for that span to stretch further, thus enlarging the size ofthe loop that can be formed between the unbonded portion of thestretched band 514 and label 512. As also illustrated in FIG. 14, thatarea where a release liner material was disposed between the layer ofelastomer and label 512 is illustrated as at 548.

FIG. 15 illustrates a labeling article 610 having a label 612 affixed toan elastomer band 614 as at bond zone 624 and 626. In thisconfiguration, band 614 has an additional elastomer area that extendsoutward past the bond zone 624 (and past an edge of the label 612). Theadditional elastomer area, referenced at area 631 in FIG. 15, can bedie-cut or kiss-cut to form a desired shape such as a tab, or (as shown)an elastomeric loop 633 or other fastener. Accordingly, once thelabeling article 610 is applied to an item using the loop definedbetween the unbonded portion of band 614 and label 612, elastomeric loop633 can be used to secure additional articles to the item.

It may also be possible to add additional features to the labelingarticle. For instance, an additional elastomeric area (like area 631 inFIG. 15) may be formed to be longitudinally extending from any portionof band 614 or may be formed to be laterally extending (as shown). Inaddition, other features may be added to elastomer band 614, such as oneor more holes, or the addition of other shapes or imprints thereon (suchas the formation of letters or numerals or other indicia (e.g.,trademarks) formed on or in the elastomer sheet. Such additionalelastomeric areas may take the form and/or function of unsupportedelastomeric extensions illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,281,345.

Label 12 itself also may be formed to have shapes imprinted thereon orholes or other shapes formed therein. Label 612 may also have anadditional label area that extends past an edge of label 612. Thisadditional label area may serve as a coupon or receipt that is separablefrom label 612 in use, such as along separation perforations. Theadditional label area may likewise not be separable but may simply forman additional part of label 612. The additional label area may also bedefined as (in whole or in part) within the bounds of label 612. Forexample, the additional label area may be formed within label 612, andmay also be separable therefrom, such as by separation perforations.

As noted above, the labeling articles of the present disclosure may beuseful for attaching a label to an item to provide the user withinformation about that item or events nearby. For example, the labelingarticles may be used for signs, produce bundling and labeling, productbundling and labeling, bio-active substances such as germ detectingsubstrates (e.g., e-colidetection), either via a coating or inherent inlabel or elastomer, RFID and Smart Packaging applications, totes (e.g.,in order to connect several items together), chemical containerlabeling, a combination with an additional loop at the end of item(e.g., for additional bundling or packaging attachments), and label orelastomer in the form of a pouch (e.g., for retaining a packing list ina labeling article bound to a crate or pallet of goods).

Additional use examples include a combination with a dowel, post orstake for signage purposes, added stiffeners for signage applications, acloth or non-woven material as the “label” (e.g., in a face mask),assembly application (in that instance, may also include a bendable tieaffixed to face mask material for nose-piece formation, such tie beingcontinuous on the material or disposed intermittently), a “living” tagor label that grows and stretches with a tree as it grows (in thisinstance, may also include UV protection and weathering protectionfeatures), a rodent or insect control application (in combination with arepellent or pesticide), and hunting applications (in combination withan animal attractant or masking odor material).

Further use examples are disclosed in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/265,945, the contents of which are incorporated byreference in its entirety. The features of the labeling articlesdisclosed herein, the methods of use thereof and the processes offormation thereof may be combined in any useful configuration.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A labeling article configured to be affixedto one or more items, the labeling article comprising: a sheet portionhaving a front surface and a rear surface; and a plurality of bandsflatly conjoined to the sheet portion, and each of the plurality ofbands comprising: a first end bonded to the rear surface of the sheetportion at a first bond zone; a second end bonded to the rear surface ofthe sheet portion at a second bond zone; and a stretchable spanextending between the first end and the second end and flatly conjoinedto the sheet portion, wherein the stretchable span is configured to bepulled away from the sheet portion and stretched to form a loop with thesheet portion that is extendable around a portion of the one or moreitems to which the labeling article is to be affixed; wherein theplurality of bands are separate from each other and have a combinedsurface area that is less than about 50% of a surface area of the rearsurface of the sheet portion.
 2. The labeling article of claim 1, andfurther comprising a plurality of release liners secured to the rearsurface and associated with stretchable spans, wherein the plurality ofrelease liners are separate from each other.
 3. The labeling article ofclaim 1, wherein the combined surface area of the plurality of bands isless than 25% of the surface area of the rear surface of the sheetportion.
 4. The labeling article of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofbands comprise two bands.
 5. The labeling article of claim 4, whereinthe plurality of bands consist of two bands.
 6. The labeling article ofclaim 1, wherein the front surface comprises indicia.
 7. The labelingarticle of claim 1, wherein the stretchable spans of the plurality ofbands extend substantially parallel to each other.
 8. A labeling articleconfigured to be affixed to one or more items, the labeling articlecomprising: a sheet portion having a front surface and a rear surface; afirst band comprising: a first end bonded to the rear surface of thesheet portion at a first bond zone; a second end bonded to the rearsurface of the sheet portion at a second bond zone; and a firststretchable span extending between the first end and the second end,wherein the stretchable span is configured to be pulled away from thesheet portion and stretched to form a first loop with the sheet portion;a second band that is separate from the first band, wherein the secondband comprises: a first end bonded to the rear surface of the sheetportion at a third bond zone; a second end bonded to the rear surface ofthe sheet portion at a fourth bond zone; and a second stretchable spanextending between the first end and the second end of the second band,wherein the second stretchable span is configured to be pulled away fromthe sheet portion and stretched to form a second loop with the sheetportion independently of the first loop; a first release liner securedto the sheet portion between the rear surface and the first stretchablespan; and a second release liner secured to the sheet portion betweenthe rear surface and the second stretchable span.
 9. The labelingarticle of claim 8, wherein the first band and the second band have acombined surface area that is less than about 50% of a surface area ofthe rear surface of the sheet portion.
 10. The labeling article of claim9, wherein the combined surface area of the first band and the secondband is less than 25% of the surface area of the rear surface of thesheet portion.
 11. The labeling article of claim 8, wherein the frontsurface comprises indicia.
 12. The labeling article of claim 8, whereinthe first stretchable span extends substantially parallel to the secondstretchable span.
 13. The labeling article of claim 8, wherein the firstrelease liner and the second release liner are separate from each other.14. A method of affixing a labeling article to one or more items, themethod comprising: forming a plurality of loops between a sheet portionof the labeling article and a plurality of stretchable bands, whereineach of the plurality of stretchable bands comprises a stretchable spanextending between a pair of ends that are bonded to the sheet portion,and wherein the plurality of stretchable bands are separate from eachother and have a combined surface area that is less than about 50% of asurface area of the sheet portion, wherein forming the plurality ofloops further comprises separating the stretchable spans from releaseliners disposed between the stretchable spans and the sheet portion;inserting one or more portions of the item through the formed loops; andreleasing the stretchable spans of the plurality of stretchable bandssuch that the released stretchable spans contract back to extentspossible as allowed by the one or more items disposed between thestretchable spans and the sheet portion.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein forming the plurality of loops comprises stretching thestretchable spans from relaxed states to stretched states.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the release liners are separate from eachother.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the combined surface area ofthe plurality of stretchable bands is less than 25% of the surface areaof the sheet portion.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein thestretchable bands are bonded to a rear surface of the sheet portion, andfurther comprising displaying indicia on a front surface of the sheetportion.